Standard Guide for PFAS Analytical Methods Selection

Abstract

4.1 This guide provides an overview of analytical methods, techniques, and procedures that may be used in determination of PFAS in environmental media including potable water (such as drinking water), non-potable water (such as groundwater, surface water, wastewater), soil, sediment, biosolids, biological tissue, and waste. This guide does not address PFAS testing of air sample matrices (such as ambient air, indoor air, soil gas, or stationary source emissions). For information on PFAS analytical methods for air sample matrices, refer to Guide D8560, and USEPA OTM-45 and OTM-50. 4.2 This guide provides considerations relevant to the selection and application of PFAS analytical methods, techniques, and procedures, including the limitations of published analytical methods and the potential benefits and challenges of non-standard analytical approaches. 4.3 This guide presents comparisons of published analytical methods and approaches, including tabular comparison of target analyte lists and method features, to aid users in the selection and application of analytical methods and techniques for project-specific applications. 4.4 This guide describes qualitative techniques available to determine total PFAS, including explanation of terms, discussion of preparation and analytical techniques and limitations, conceptual overview schematic, and summary comparison table. 4.5 This guide provides current information on trends in PFAS determination techniques applied to environmental media. 4.6 This guide provides an integrated framework that results in efficient, cost-effective decision-making for timely, appropriate response actions for PFAS-impacted environmental media. 4.7 This guide is not intended to replace or supersede federal, state, local, or international regulatory requirements. Instead, this guide may be used to complement and support such requirements. 4.8 This guide may be used by various parties involved in response actions for PFAS-impacted environmental media, including regulatory agencies, project sponsors, environmental consultants and contractors, site remediation professionals, analytical testing laboratories, data reviewers, data users, academic institutions, research institutes, and other stakeholders. 4.9 The users of this guide should consider assembling a team of experienced professionals with appropriate expertise to scope, plan, and execute PFAS environmental data acquisition activities. 4.10 The users of this guide should review the overall structure and components of this guide before proceeding with use, including the following sections: 4.10.1 Section 1: Scope 4.10.2 Section 2: Referenced Documents 4.10.3 Section 3: Terminology 4.10.4 Section 4: Significance and Use 4.10.5 Section 5: Project Planning Considerations 4.10.6 Section 6: Analytical Method Selection Considerations 4.10.7 Section 7: Analytical Methods Comparison 4.10.8 Section 8: Qualitative Techniques to Determine Total PFAS 4.10.9 Section 9: Analytical Method Trends 4.10.10 Section 10: Keywords 4.10.11 Appendix X1: PFAS Analytical Interferences – A Summary of Considerations